The European Institutions

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Transcript of The European Institutions

Institutions of the EU European Commission European Court of Justice Ensures conformity of national and EU laws with treaties Supreme legal authority of the EU Final court of appeal on all EU laws Members:27 Judges 6 year renewable, staggered termsCourt of First Instance created in 1989 European Parliament "Co-Legislatures" with Council of Ministersamends proposals from Commission with Council of MinistersSuggests new laws and policies to the CommissionRepresents interests of EU citizensOnly directly elected international legislature in the worldSupervisory Powersreview annual budgetcan reject budget with 2/3 majority votesupport accession of new members approve Commission president Council of Ministers "Co-legislatures" of the EU with ParliamentKey decision-maker Members: Government ministers from the member statesCommittee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) Connects Brussels and member states Motivated by national political interests European Council created in 1974General "Agenda Setters"no legislative functionMembers: Heads of GovernmentsImportant force for integration Supranational Intergovernmental European Council cont. Meetings take place in Brussels, BelgiumAt least 4 annual meetings, plus whenever necessaryMore soft power than hard powerTypical discussion topics: direction of integrationeconomic issuesforeign policybudget disputestreaty revisionsnew member applications Evolution of the European Council Pre-Lisbon European Council Chair was the head of government of the member state holding presidency of the Council of MinistersMeetings held in the chair's respective member state Post-LisbonIndividual appointed by the heads of governmentTerm = 2 1/2 years, renewable onceMeetings take place in Brussels "Executive Branch" Promote general interests of the EU Members take oath renouncing any defense of national interestGeneral tasksPowers of InitiationPowers of implementationActing as the conscience of the EUManagement of EU financesExternal Relations European Commission cont. College of Commission = 27 membersappointed by national governmentsapproved by European Parliament Members serve 5 year terms 38 Directorates-generals (DGs) President is the most powerful figure in the Commissionnominated by European Council confirmed by European Parliament 5 years, renewable term (AKA: Coucil of the European Union) Council of Ministers cont.... Rotating presidency: not a person but a member state Changes every 6 months Proposals from Commission: reviewed by Council as a whole or more specialized Council working parties Coreper makes final changesVotes either simple majority or QMV (voting rare) Proposal can go back and forth with EP until decision is reached European Parliament cont. 736 Memberselected by universal suffrage by all eligible voters in the EU 5 year renewable termsseats distributed based on populationPresident elected by ParliamentHas sole power to force resignation of College of Commissioners with 2/3 majority vote Evolution of European Parliament With initial development of ECSC (1952):consultation procedureSingle European Act (1987): cooperation procedureMaastricht Treaty (1993):codecision procedureTreaty of Lisbon (2009): ordinary legislative procedure